Bio & Incident Details

Trooper Joseph Ynostroza was killed in an automobile accident on U.S. Route 160, near Alamosa, while en route to Cortez from Denver.

During the drive his patrol car veered into oncoming traffic and was struck head-on by a tractor-trailer. Although he was wearing his seat belt and his air bag deployed, the force of the impact was so severe it caused fatal injuries.

Trooper Ynostroza had served with the Colorado State Patrol for 16 years. He was survived by his wife and three children. His son later went on to serve in the same agency.